The Corn Islands - One of the Caribbean's forgotten tropical paradise

Fifty miles northeast of the Atlantic Coast city of Bluefields, Nicaragua lies one of the Caribbean's forgotten tropical paradises; The Corn Islands, Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island are lush with exotic fruit trees, native palms and surrounded by white sand beaches. A heaven for pirates and buccaneers in the 17th century, untold numbers of shipwrecks and treasures still lay scattered along the turqoise shores of The Corn Islands.

The local Islanders, descendant from the original British prospectors and freed slaves, make their living from harvesting lobster and fish from the prolific, offshore fishing banks. Many Miskito Indians from the nearby "Miskito Coast" as well as Nicaraguans from the "mainland" have moved to Big Corn Island in recent years,diversifying the population and languages overheard on the island. Still, the laid back atmosphere and lifestyle seems to overtake anyone who visits The Corn Islands.

The Little Corn Island's map

The Big Corn Island's map

The Corn Islands are surrounded by a barrier reef system which is a unique underwater ecosystem for snorkeling and scuba diving. Whether snorkeling from the beach or on a dive excursion with one of the localdive operators, one can expect to see a wide variety of corals, sponges, tropical fish, rays, schools of snapper, turtles and even dolphin.

The scuba diving activity at The Corn Islands

The Corn Islands and Nicaraguan Atlantic Coast offer excellent opportunities for sport fishing. The lagoons and rivers of the coast are abundant with tarpon and snook and the blue waters of the 
Caribbean Corn Islands are host to all pelagic species including sailfish, marlin, tuna and dolphin.Though the sport fish are prolific, sport fishing charters are few and far between on the Atlantic Coast.

The beach of Little Corn Island

The beach of Big Corn Island

On Nicaragua’s Little Corn Island, the fresh lobster is cheap; the hammocks plentiful; and the pace slow. Factor in a new hotel and spa with 16 oceanfront cabanas, and vacationing here is more blissful than ever.

The scenery from a hotel of Little Corn Island

It’s just one of the places that will appeal to travelers seeking what’s new and notable in 2014. They remind us that there are still discoveries to be made, even in seemingly familiar destinations—and that with travel, too, timing is everything.

There are many major airlines fly into Managua, Nicaragua's capital city. After clearing customs and immigration, exit the terminal and walk to the left.Just a short walk to the end of the airport terminal, you will find a separate terminal building for the regional airlines which provide service to Bluefields, Big Corn Island and Puerto Cabezas.La Costena Airlines flies these routes with the last flights leaving Managua at 2:00 p.m. Round trip tickets to Big Corn Island cost approximately $165.00 USD.